One Film, Three Actors Trivia Quiz

Answer: Maverick

Directed by Richard Donner, 'Maverick' was released in 1994 and took its inspiration from the television series of that name. James Garner played Bret Maverick on television but Mel Gibson takes the role in the film. Garner does star too, though, playing a lawman named Zane Cooper, before a twist in the tale is revealed.

The plot depicts Gibson as a gambler, playing poker to make a living. As you'd expect, many of the games are rigged with Alfred Molina portraying one of those winning by foul means. Coburn plays another participant while Foster is a con artist named Annabelle.

Answer: True Romance

This 1993 film was written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. It is described as a mix of crime and romance. The three stars listed are just some of the well known actors who appear in the film - others include James Gandolfini, Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper to name only a further three.

The plot involves a couple, played by Arquette and Christian Slater, who find themselves embroiled in a convoluted scheme involving cocaine, mobsters and police informants. Several people die during the film - it was written by Tarantino after all - but Scott did change the original ending.

Answer: Jackie Brown

Adapted from a book by Elmore Leonard by Quentin Tarantino, this 1997 film starred Pam Grier as the title character. Tarantino directed the film which also had performances by Robert de Niro and Samuel L Jackson.

The plot involves an air hostess named Jackie Brown who is caught smuggling money and drugs from Mexico. Michael Keaton plays the ATF agent who is trying to arrest the gangster behind the scheme (Jackson) and Fonda is one of the villain's women. The ATF eventually get their man, with the help of Jackie Brown, who flies off to Spain at the end of the film.

Answer: Gangs of New York

Based on a 1927 book by Herbert Asbury, with the title 'The Gangs of New York', this film was directed by Martin Scorsese and released in 2002. Among the other actors were Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson and Leonardo DiCaprio.

As the title implies, the film involves two gangs - the Protestants (Americans), led by William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Catholic immigrants, who are Irish, with their leader being Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson). The film opens with a battle between the two gangs which ends in the death of Vallon. Sixteen years later, his son, named Amsterdam, (DiCaprio) returns to the scene to extract his revenge. Cameron Diaz plays Jenny, the woman Amsterdam falls in love with while Jim Broadbent plays 'Boss' Tweed, a politician.

Answer: Sleepers

This is another film adapted from a novel - this one was written by Lorenzo Carcaterra and was published in 1995. Barry Levinson adapted the novel and directed the film, which came out only a year later. Other actors in the film include Jason Patric and Brad Pitt.

Set in New York's Hell's Kitchen, the film tells the story of friends who end up in juvenile detention after a car theft goes wrong. The title of the book and film come from a slang expression referring to youngsters who serve time. While there, they suffer both physical and sexual abuse, and the film depicts them eventually extracting their revenge. Jason Patric, Billy Crudup and Brad Pitt play three of the youngsters in adulthood, while Kevin Bacon portrays one of their former abusers. Minnie Driver plays a childhood friend of the young men.

Answer: A League of Their Own

The film, released in 1992, was directed by Penny Marshall with the other stars including Tom Hanks and Bill Pullman. The story was based on the real life Ladies' Baseball League formed during World War II and lasting until 1954.

As in reality, the plot revolves around the possible suspension of Major League Baseball with professional women's baseball being set up as a substitute. The main focus is on a team named the Rockford Peaches whose members include Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis), her sister Kit (Lori Petty), Doris Murphy (Rosie O'Donnell) and Mae Mordabito (Madonna). Tom Hanks plays the team coach, who takes some time to be won over to the viability of the team, while Bill Pullman portrays Dottie's husband. The film shows the players reuniting in 1988, although some have passed on.

Answer: Three Kings

David O Russell wrote and directed this 1999 film set in the aftermath of the Gulf War. Other actors in the film included Judy Greer, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze. It is described as black comedy.

The plot involves American soldiers in Iraq who acquire a map showing the location of gold bullion. Three of them, Clooney, Wahlberg and Jonze, set off to locate the bunker, and find not just the gold but Iraqi prisoners who have opposed Saddam Hussein. Cliff Curtis plays one of these prisoners. Eventually, the gold is returned to Kuwait, the country from which it had been stolen. although it seems not all of it, with the implication being that the soldiers managed to keep some for themselves.

Answer: Dave

This comedy about politics came out in 1993 and was directed by Ivan Reitman. Apart from the three stars listed, the film included Kevin Kline, Laura Linney and Ben Kingsley.

The storyline involves a man named Dave Kovic (Kline) who resembles the US president and has a sideline of impersonating him. When the president has a stroke while Dave is standing in for him at an official function, Dave is persuaded to continue being the president. The Chief of Staff (Langella) is angling to become vice president to thwart the honest man who currently holds the position, portrayed by Ben Kingsley. Sigourney Weaver plays the president's wife while Ving Rhames is his bodyguard.

Answer: Con Air

Simon West directed this 1997 film. Nicolas Cage is the other main actor missing from those I gave you, with Ving Rhames also being in the supporting cast.

The film involves a group of prisoners being transported by air to a maximum security prison. Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), a former army ranger, is on the flight as he has been paroled. Led by Cyrus Grissom (Malkovich), the prisoners hijack the aircraft. Poe works with a US Marshal (Cusack) to (eventually) foil the plot, but not before much death and mayhem. Rhames and Buscemi play two of the other prisoners on the plane.

Answer: Sleepless in Seattle

Released in 1993, this romantic comedy also starred Tom Hanks and Bill Pullman. It was directed by Nora Ephron, who also contributed to the screenplay.

The plot involves a widowed father named Sam (Hanks) who is persuaded by his young son to look for a new love. Annie (Meg Ryan) is one of the women who responds to his appearance on a radio show. After a lot of manipulation by the son and Annie's friend, played by Rosie O'Donnell, the pair eventually meet with the film ending on a 'happy ever after' note. Rita Wilson is, of course, Hanks' wife in real life and plays his sister in the film while Rob Reiner plays Jay, a friend of Sam.